Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.